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Caught him in the act

99 replies

Sicktothestomach · 22/05/2016 18:13

My partner and I and our two kids have just been to a big family gathering. We stayed overnight and took our boys camping (their first time).
I stayed sober. He didn't.
I went to bed when the boys did but couldn't sleep. Hours later he still wasn't there.
It got light and I went into the buildings for a wee and had a look round to see if I could find him.
I found him - giving oral sex to a woman half my age.
I confronted him, he's repentant, blah blah blah. He's still more sorry he got caught than for how he's made me feel.

Our boys are two and five. The older one has anxiety issues at the moment.
What the fuck am I going to do?

We've been together 9 years. We'd been talking about getting married (the kids kept asking us about it).

I will never trust him again. But our boys need their dad and I can't support us if he's not here. So, because I don't want to make any rash decisions, he's still here.
But I'm not sure pretending things are "normal" can work.

OP posts:
Sicktothestomach · 25/05/2016 20:57

It's ok, and thanks. I realise you didn't use the word abuse. I'm really sorry you've been through that.

Anyfucker, you're being a bit condescending.
I made him wash his mouth before he went near the kids. Not as a punishment.
Yes I'm well aware of what he did, I'm not overlooking it.

Unbelievably, the positive which had happened since is starting to outweigh the negative of it. Obviously the relationship is not the same - but that's actually a good thing.

If you'd asked me a week ago, I wouldn't have seen any other option but to end the relationship and feel angry with him forever and ever. But now I'm in this situation I have found strength and compassion I didn't know I had, and I'm proud of how I've handled it. It's strengthened my sense of self, not compromised it.

OP posts:
Sicktothestomach · 25/05/2016 20:59

Superflyhigh, yes I did, to both of your questions.
Why are you making assumptions?

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 25/05/2016 21:01

Of course it was a punishment. Unless he makes a habit of sticking his tongue in his children's mouths ? Confused

I am sorry for you, that this is all you think you are worth. That a relationship is strengthened by one partner's abhorrent actions and the other one writing it off after an appropriate act of unrelated atonement has been undertaken.

SuperFlyHigh · 25/05/2016 21:05

I only had the one question OP!

So your friends and family were fine after hearing that were they?! Because mine damned well wouldn't be. Nor would most people's. I think you've given them the sob story as to how you can't or won't cope alone and are digging your head in the sand like an ostrich.

Well don't say we haven't warned you, it'll happen again. And he's pissed off and ashamed because he got caught, he's probably been up to it before now. Just hasn't got caught.

NatashaRomanoff · 25/05/2016 21:10

Wait, what? The "positive" since is outweighing the fact that he GAVE ORAL SEX to a stranger in a family holiday? Love, you need more than relate. I do hope the positive outweighs it next time he shags someone, hey, you might even get a free dose next time!

PrincessPlod · 25/05/2016 21:20

This would be my worst fear if I was a SAHM, if it went tits up how would I survive. Ok get to CAB find out what your rights are/ what benefits you would get. You can stack shelves in a supermarket or whatever, even if you have nothing on paper you still have skills you just need to sell yourself during an interview.

It's happened, if you can't work through it as a couple then get tough and move forward alone. It's a crappy situation but you will get through it.

Sicktothestomach · 25/05/2016 21:25

Wow you do seem to be a bit angry with me.

Seems like I can't do right for doing wrong here. In MY LIFE. Mine. I'm the only one who knows why I've made these decisions based on 40 years of experience, so why are you attacking me?

Seriously, why?

Right now I'm happy with the decisions I've made. Even if it all changes tomorrow I'll still look back and know that I did what was right at the time. And I'll make new decisions if necessary.

Oh, and the two questions were did I tell friends and family - yes; and did I think about whether he'd done more than what I saw - yes. Clear?

OP posts:
Sicktothestomach · 25/05/2016 21:43

I suppose I set myself up for this, since I asked for advice.

But let me get this straight.
I have just been through a horrendous experience - not the worst thing that has happened to me, but bad enough.
I ask for some advice, and then I get attacked by a bunch of strangers for not following it?
You berate me for not being strong, but then want me to do what you think I should do, not what I have chosen to do?
And you're actually hoping my situation gets worse?

At least I'm working on MY issues.

Thanks to the few of you who haven't judged me.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 25/05/2016 21:43

Nobody is angry with you.

We are concerned that when you wake up from this fog of Stepfordness you will be incandescent at yourself.

SuperFlyHigh · 25/05/2016 21:52

My second one really wasn't a question. I suppose I'm angry more with other women who I know who let men push them around and then take them back and where sex and being dependent on the man is a big part of it. I like To think I'm not as weak as that.

I'm not judging you at all but if you know about MN at all then relationships board is kinder to AIBU where feelings run high.

Good luck, you'll need it.

YounicorneNumbers · 25/05/2016 21:59

Weird thread is weird.

Sicktothestomach · 27/05/2016 07:58

It still rankles that I'm being judged and pitied by a load of strangers.

Maybe I didn't give you enough information. (It's quite hard to explain things to people who keep leaping to conclusions).

There is no "sob story". I looked into benefits days ago and realised I could manage. Dependence isn't an issue.

Yes of course it still hurts, that's why I arranged counselling. I haven't forgotten or overlooked it.

I'm being a friend because he's admitted he's an alcoholic for the first time in his life and enrolled on a program - I want him to succeed.

OP posts:
SuperFlyHigh · 27/05/2016 08:29

You're the one coming back posting...

rainytea · 27/05/2016 08:43

Advice is just that, advice, not law!

OP it still sounds a difficult situation, but it seems you've done a lot for yourself in terms of checking your options and getting support for you.

Whatever happens in the future, whether you ultimately stay or go, it sounds like you're stronger than you thought, more capable than you thought and that can only be a good thing for you and your children.

AyeAmarok · 27/05/2016 10:01

You've made a decision that you're happy with and thinks works best for you and your family.

Although I get the feeling that on some level you aren't comfortable with your decision, and that's why you are being so defensive about it.

That's OK, it's completely understandable.

PeppermintPasty · 27/05/2016 10:30

Yes, your posts are defensive, which is understandable. I think people here are concerned for you, that it will happen again (it will, in my opinion and experience), and they/ we would hope that you come to see this clearly soon to save you from more pain.

That may sound patronising written down. It isn't meant to be. I defended my ex when he shagged around, I spent many an hour convincing myself that his desperate cries of "I'll do anything" and his half hearted attempts at counselling were the clarion call of a new, improved relationship. They weren't. My self esteem continued to be eroded and he continued his revolting entitled behaviour in various different ways.

I thought I was "in charge" of it all, that I understood it all, that I had a handle on it. I thought I could help him, be his friend (pahahaha to me).

I look back now and see that as one part of the whole process of coming to terms with what was done to me.

Don't underestimate the massive physical and emotional shock you're in right now, it will carry on affecting you, and you will adjust to it, deal with it. Just don't bury yourself in it by kidding yourself that you're doing it for the greater good of the family, or the kids.

The day I finally said I'd had enough was when I realised, on a day I'll never ever forget, that being around him making out all was well was actually damaging our children. That was the day his stuff was put in bin bags and the children and I have never looked back.

Take care of yourself, and put on your armour, you're going to need it.

Sicktothestomach · 27/05/2016 11:04

I came back to post because I was feeling upset about the way some of you have spoken to me. Not the things you've said - believe me it's nothing I haven't already thought. I've been to hell and back. But some of the posts have been condescending, unfriendly, confrontational... I feel totally kicked while I'm down. I'm stronger and more capable than I realised but I'm still fragile. I've been defensive because I've felt attacked. Not by everyone, but enough.

I tried imagine what I would've said if this were the other way round, before this happened to me. I hope I wouldn't have been mean, but my advice would probably have been LTB, based on the information given. So I get it.

And it HAS made me question myself. I've arrived at the same conclusions, and it's actually strengthened my conviction.

I'm not assuming it will never happen again. Just taking things one day at a time.... and as I said, if things change tomorrow I'll make new decisions, but I'll still be happy that the ones I made yesterday were right at the time.
Everyone has their own take on things due to their own experience, and that's ok.

I've learned a lesson... Never ask advice on mumsnet about anything that actually matters!

OP posts:
dilys4trevor · 27/05/2016 14:27

I really identify with Peppermint.

I was seriously considering giving my ex a chance to 'show me' he could change. Even after shagging someone who worked for us both, for a year, taking days off work not to see his kids (who he didn't see much) but to go round to her house and fuck her, leaving us at the weekend supposedly cycling but actually shagging her. And worst of all, flaunting it on a Friday when I was at home with the kids (I did a four day week). Plus making it obvious in the pub after I'd gone home to put our kids to bed.

Even after that I did believe he was remorseful. He was saying 'I'll do anything' but produced nothing concrete, promised me he was writing me a letter with his innermost thoughts but it didn't materialise (even suggesting he do that is so indulgent and arrogant). He was still lying, not even managing to keep to a consistent story. He declared in the end he would go to AA about his drinking and would get serious counselling for his 'personality flaws.' He blamed it mostly on his drinking. Wanted me to 'help him.' It sounded convincing because it was all his own idea. Actually I had been asking him to give me a proper plan for a week but I buried this at the back of my mind.

It was only literally 30 mins prior to his death that I realised a lot of that was not going to happen. Even then I texted him repeatedly that evening asking why he was hurting me so much. He was already dead by then but I didn't know it (he topped himself because of his job and reputation).

Found out afterwards there had been loads of girls, not just her.

If he had lived and if I had eventually taken him back it would have taken a while for him to fuck up again (or to be found out) but he would have. That kind of behaviour can't ever be a one off. It wasn't a love affair so what was it? Impulsive gratification? A desire to feel big and manly? A give-in to basic desires? A way of punishing me? Of 'proving' family life hadn't changed him? Who knows? That kind of thing - which shows such a disregard towards me, his partner, as to borderline on a hatred - is ingrained and structural. It's cold and someone who is capable of cruelty over time has it in themselves every day.

I cannot wait for the day I don't think about it constantly. May start a thread on how to fucking well move on!

With your P, I do think 'being sorry for hurt caused' and 'having no empathy' are mutually exclusive but I do hope things work out for you one way or another and if they don't work out with him, I hope this happens sooner rather than later Flowers

SuperFlyHigh · 27/05/2016 16:42

OP we are just strangers on the internet but especially when you post on AIBU (even more so on Relationships) you'll get cold, hard facts and advice from people who have weathered the storm or not.

what sort of advice did you want? hand-holding? Because the internet can be like that but it can also not be like that.

My dad was an alcoholic, he used to lie to my mum about sleeping with other women to make her jealous (he was lying), they ended up divorced and now he's dead (after 3 marriages, 6 kids and 15 years of last years of his 50 year life being 'clean') so I know damned well about alcoholics and so on.

You're a better person to take him on, alcoholism is hard, my DB had a serious drinking problem until it was starting to cause him problems in his marriage.

Take care and sorry if I wasn't sympathetic or confrontational or unfriendly I didn't mean to be and like I stated afterwards my reasons for those words. Good luck.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 27/05/2016 17:22

I don't think people intend to be condescending or upset you.

I think Mumsnet sees a lot of cheating stories, and has a lot of people who have been through it themselves, once or more. And on 75% of the threads where the poster chooses to stay, they believe that it was a one off and their partner is different and none of the usual applies... and then when it inevitably turns out that he wasn't different, Mumsnet sees the hardest days, and the really sad messages where the OP wishes they'd listened in the first place.

I think most people want to avoid anyone else going through that, although when you are in that moment and convinced that your partner is different, nobody can really change your mind. They can just hope that if they hold the light up, you'll see the cracks.

Of course, few guys will be different. Sometimes the script isn't followed. Sometimes it genuinely is a one-off and the relationship can survive. It's just exceedingly rare that this is the case.

I do wish you all the best. I hope he continues to fight his demons, and he has the courage of conviction to avoid temptation and resist hurting you any further. And I hope it all works out, genuinely.

user1464710380 · 31/05/2016 17:10

Most people will say oh just get rid of him but I know it's hard. I would make him leave for a while and let him think of what he has done do not let him think you are going to take him back. If you then decide to he will have more respect for you then ever.

123littleducks · 02/06/2016 09:35

I'm so sorry you're going through this, it's easy for people to say leave but it's so hard when you love someone. Especially with kids involved. Just sending love xx

6demandingchildren · 03/06/2016 10:31

It gets better but it takes time. A long time xx
Hubby got caught by me and I went batshit crazy. Told him to stay with the slapper but he followed me home.
A few other events with slapper happened (she knew he was married and so did he obviously) but I came to realise that it could of been me as we was drifting apart and didn't realise it at the time. This was 17 years ago.
Our relationship hasn't been perfect but we have more respect for each other now and we understand each other better.

tiredvommachine · 03/06/2016 10:51

Dilys Flowers

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